By just trying to put the ball in play, Waldwick's Kyle Carty has become an offensive weapon. He also is a speedy runner.

WALDWICK — Two years ago, Kyle Carty was basically a courtesy runner. He was pretty good at it, too, stealing 10 bases in 10 games.

Today, however, the Waldwick senior left fielder has evolved into one of the most interesting offensive weapons in North Jersey baseball. That's quite a change in status, but it shows what happens when a young player accepts his limitations and embraces his strengths.

"Kyle is the poster boy for the BBCOR bat," Waldwick coach Frank Clark said, referring to the new low-velocity bat regulations. "When teams come in here and look at his swing, people say, 'Wow. What was that?'

"He's not the prototypical gap hitter. Kyle worked hard on slapping down on the ball, and the key to his success has been putting the ball in play."

And that key has opened a lot of doors for Carty. In 11 games as Waldwick's leadoff hitter, he's batting .538 with 21 hits, 14 runs scored, 19 stolen bases in 19 attempts and a .545 on base percentage.

Carty's left-handed swing has a funky, inside-out quality to it, but batting averages don't take into account style points. Throw in his sprinter's speed, and the Warriors (10-1), ranked No. 18 in The Record baseball Top 25, have a potential game-changer in the leadoff spot.

"In the preseason, I was looking to drive the ball more," Carty said. "That didn't work out. Then I started to stay back and put the ball on the ground."

Dragging bunts. Chopping the ball up the middle or between the shortstop and third baseman. Whatever it takes to get on base.

All but one of Carty's 21 hits have been singles. His one double was a bloop over the third baseman's head.

"The guys love him, and they bust his chops all the time," Clark said. "If one of the guys gets an infield hit, they say, 'You got a Carty.' "

Teams have been trying to combat Carty's skills. Third basemen and first basemen routinely creep in on the grass, and some teams even have started employing what could best be called a "Carty shift."

"When we played Tenafly, they moved the third baseman in and the shortstop more towards third," Carty said. "Then you just hit the ball up the middle.

"Some teams move the left fielder in. Midland Park played the second baseman more up the middle. But all I have to do is get my bat on the ball."

And fielding it cleanly is only part of the solution.

"Everyone in the league knows," Clark said. "If you don't get the ball out of your glove immediately, it's an issue. He'll get you totally out of your game."

Unlike the Waldwick team that went to the state championships in Toms River in 2011, this is not a power hitting team. Carty's table-setting ability is a real plus for a group that knows how to build runs, and, in many ways, he is the face of an exciting offense.

The 6-foot-1, 170-pound Carty only has been caught once in 48 career stolen base attempts. He and teammate Mike Salmonese each have 19 stolen bases and have set their sights on the program single season record of 41 held by current Bergen Catholic coach Mark DeMenna.

"We have a deal," said Carty, who will attend Bergen Community College in the fall. "I think we're both going to break it, but whoever breaks it first has to buy the other a burrito."

It's surprising that the Waldwick football coaching staff never coaxed a player with Carty's speed onto the football field. Carty admits he once had visions of being a game-breaking wide receiver or punt returner, but there was one big problem.

"I can't catch a football," Carty said with a smile. "I just don't know how."